Sub-frame metadata distribution server

Abstract

A distribution server includes a communication interface, storage, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry retrieves a full screen sequence of video and sub-frame metadata relating to the full screen sequence of video. The processing circuitry sub-frame processes the sequence of full screen video using the sub-frame metadata to produce a plurality of sub-frames of video. The processing circuitry assembles the plurality of sub-frames of video to produce an output sequence for a client system. The distribution server may also receive, store, and distribute the sub-frame metadata and/or the video for subsequent use by a video processing system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of:[0002]1. Utility application Ser. No. 11 / 474,032 filed on Jun. 23, 2006, and entitled “VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM THAT GENERATES SUB-FRAME METADATA,” (BP5273), which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60 / 802,423, filed May 22, 2006;[0003]2. Utility application Ser. No. 11 / 491,050 filed on Jul. 20, 2006, and entitled “ADAPTIVE VIDEO PROCESSING CIRCUITRY & PLAYER USING SUB-FRAME METADATA” (BP5446);[0004]3. Utility application Ser. No. 11 / 491,051 filed on Jul. 20, 2006, and entitled “ADAPTIVE VIDEO PROCESSING USING SUB-FRAME METADATA” (BP5447); and[0005]4. Utility application Ser. No. 11 / 491,019 filed on Jul. 20, 2006, and entitled “SIMULTANEOUS VIDEO AND SUB-FRAME METADATA CAPTURE SYSTEM” (BP5448), all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.[0006]The present application also claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60 / 802,423, filed May 22, 2006.[00...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the size of such handheld devices typically restricts the size of the video display (screen) on the handheld device.

On a small screen, the human eye often fails to perceive small details, such as text, facial features, and distant objects.

However, when translated to a small screen of a handheld device, perceiving the facial expressions and text often proves impossible due to limitations of the human eye.

Screen resolution is limited if not by technology then by the human eye no matter what the size screen.

On a small screen however, such limitations have the greatest impact.

In the process of converting HD video to fit the far lesser number of pixels of the smaller screen, pixel data is combined and details are effectively lost.

An attempt to increase the number of pixels on the smaller screen to that of an HD television might avoid the conversion process, but, as mentioned previously, the human eye will impose its own limitations and details will still be lost.

Because this video is later transcoded, the “big-screen” format video may not adequately support conversion to smaller screen sizes.

In such case, no conversion process will produce suitable video for display on small screens.

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